Cirencester golf round-up with Danny Hall

Bagendon 100 Cup

MARC BERRY gained reward for his consistency in recent stableford competitions when he won the prestigious Bagendon 100 Cup at Cirencester Golf Club.

This is the trophy inaugurated on May 5, 2010, the centenary of Cirencester Golf Club’s move to its present Bagendon site. The competition is played on the same date every year.

Marc shot a very steady round – apart from a minor wobble over the last two holes – to record 40 points off his 19 handicap.

“I’ve been playing consistently since coming back from lockdown and finished runner-up in the April Midweek Medal,” said Marc.

“Putting has been letting me down but having a bit of rain helped as it softened the greens.

“The round was steady until the rain and hail hit around the turn so it was then a case of trying to hang on, especially on ‘the top’ at 13, 14 and 15.

“I made a bad drive at 17 and then left a putt in the jaws of the hole at 18 which meant I double-bogeyed both and to be honest I thought that would probably cost me.

“A thank you to my playing partners who weren't faring well and would probably have walked in early if it wasn't for the fact I was in contention.”

Runner-up Rick Newell also rued a finish which may have cost him the title, as he had ‘doubles’ on the final three holes yet still scored 39 points off a 20 handicap.

Rick nonetheless put up his best score since the last lockdown, and was clearly refreshed by getting away from the heavy-duty work he’s been putting in on his property and garden having moved home across Cirencester.

RESULTS

1st – Marc Berry (19 handicap) 40 points; 2nd – Ric Newell (20) 39pts; 3rd – Graham Clarke (16) 38pts; 4th – Jonny Cowley (4) 38pts; 5th – Ali Carter (8) 38pts; 6th – Clive Montgomery (10) 37pts; 7th – Tony Killick (13) 37pts; 8th – Robert Gough (21) 37pts; 9th – David Golding (28) 36pts; 10th – Paul Simmonds (15) 36pts.

Men’s County Medal

STU MICHAELIS maintained his superb current run of form to take the Men’s County Medal qualifier by two shots with a nett 67.

The 21-handicapper was following his runaway victory alongside Jeff Salter, Pete Shepherd & Alan Hughes in a Seniors’ Bowmaker last month.

Stu had an uneventful round which included five pars and nine bogeys.

“There were no special highlights other than steady golf assisted by my extra shots since the new World Handicap System adjustments,” he said.

“That was following a spell of poor cards prior to lockdown.

“I have to thank my golfing buddies for their advice which has helped my game improve recently.

“I’m enjoying the moment and looking forward to representing Cirencester in the County Medal Final at Minchinhampton on June 30.”

Stu has ‘previous’ in county competitions having won Division Two of the first ever Gloucestershire Seniors’ Stableford Final held at Lansdown GC back in 2017.

Paul Godding and Andy Lewis both shot nett 69s off their 10 handicaps, with Paul pipping his rival to the top score in Division One and the runner-up slot overall.

Just nine players in the 117-strong field beat nett par, and there were 13 birdies, two of them from Pete Stone on the 2nd and 13th holes. Club champion Charlie Harraway had the best gross round of 72.

RESULTS

Division One – Paul Godding (79-10=69); Andy Lewis (79-10=69); Tom O’Dell (73-03=70); Paul Simpson (81-11=70); Dan Skinley (77-07=70).

Division Two – Stu Michaelis (88-21=67); Bramwell Coleman (90-20=70); Robert Preddy (86-16=70); Martin Dyer 85-15=70).

Seniors’ Stableford

THE opening seniors’ stableford of the five-strong summer series has been won by Simon Underwood.

Left-handed, nine-handicapper Simon was one of just two players – Trevor Sallis being the other – who beat nett par on a very blustery day which was made more difficult by occasional showers.

The 2019 Hospital Cup winner edged out Trevor on a countback over the last six holes, both of them having posted 39 points.

“We got a little lucky with the weather as all the heavy showers went around us and we didn’t get a drop of rain all afternoon,” said Simon.

“While the wind was really gusting at times and the ball wobbling on the tee, it didn’t really affect me as I have an unintentional low ball flight.

“I holed a 25-foot putt for a two on 13 but was equally happy with my short game. I was pitching close on most greens and so I had no real pressure on my putting.”

There were seven twos recorded: Terry McQuirk (2nd), Keith Miller (2nd), Dave Braithwaite (9th), Mike Helyer (9th), Keith Hughes (9th), Ken Anderson (13th) and Simon Underwood (13th).

The Spring Trophy is up for grabs in the next Seniors’ Stableford on Wednesday, May 19.

RESULTS

1st – Simon Underwood (9 handicap) 37 points; 2nd – Trevor Sallis (20) 37pts; 3rd – Dave Braithwaite (18) 36pts; 4th – Nigel Curtis (10) 36pts; 5th – Rob Bell (14) 35pts; 6th – Keith Hughes (18) 35pts; 7th – Keith Miller (16) 35pts; 8th – David Golding (28) 34pts; 9th – Aadel Nasrat (20) 34pts; 10th – Mike Helyer (15) 34pts.

Ladies’ Section

THURSDAY, May 6, saw an important fixture in the ladies’ calendar – Elaine Killick’s lady captain’s team versus Karen Pracy-Jennings’s vice captain’s squad.

The weather was kind and a keen match was enjoyed by all with Karen’s team securing an 8½ to 3½ point victory.

The following Monday saw the first ladies’ A team match of the season against Cotswold Edge away.

With some of the regular A team unable to play, the substitutes – including Jayne Worthington making her debut – stepped up to the mark and helped secure a tie. Well done ladies!

Girls’ County Championships

LYDIA SUTHERLAND swept the board at the Gloucestershire Girls Golf County Championships held at Filton Golf Club last Sunday with three victories.

Cirencester member Lydia collected the Townsend Salver for having the best nett score – 70 off her 24 handicap to win by a single shot.

She also topped the leaderboard in the U16 & U14 best nett competitions.